Chris Marks, pictured second from right next to brother Nick, after winning the High Street Agency of the Year (Small) Award at the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards 2021.
Baldwins Travel commercial director Chris Marks has left the family business after nearly 15 years.
Marks, who was previously joint managing director with his brother Nick, described his time at the eight branch high-street travel agency in Kent as “one hell of a ride”. He has retired from the company to take a short career break.
The brothers’ dad Ron Marks was previously chairman of the business, which was bought in September last year by investment group Inc & Co to help the agency “navigate its way out” of the Covid crisis.
On leaving the firm, Marks paid tribute to his family, where Nick remains at the helm as managing director of the business, and the “amazing team” at Baldwins.
He said: “Highs and lows are to be expected but I have been blessed by working in a family business with my best mate and brother, Nick, and of course the ‘Rt Honourable’ Ron Marks – if Grant Shapps can be a Right Hon so can my father and mentor!”
He admitted the last few years during the pandemic had been a “wild and merciless storm for our industry and the world at large” but said the future was “looking brighter day by day”.
“Many businesses are still in survival mode and a few of us are lucky enough to be planning our ‘thrive’ stage,” he said. “My best wishes go to all those that didn’t make it and to all those that continue to fight the good fight. One thing I have always admired about the travel industry, which is in my blood, is the cohesiveness of it all.”
He described the industry as “one massive travel family”, adding: “Competitors are friends, suppliers are close business partners, and our customers are always at the heart of all that we do.
“For me, I will miss the industry events of course, but also the amazing people we work with and the words of thanks from our clients.”
Marks said it had been “an honour” to sit on the board of agency consortium Advantage Travel Partnership, of which Baldwins Travel is a member.
“I will miss the central and leadership team there who strive so hard for their members,” said Marks, who now plans to take a short break from work for some “much-needed family time”.
He has already been approached with potential consultancy roles for next year but said he had yet to decide on his next career move.
He said: “Firstly, I am taking a holiday with my young family and then I’m off to Morocco for the G Trek for Good, raising money for AbtaLifeline/Planeterra on a trek up Mount Toubkal in October.
“As our dearly departed Queen Elizabeth the Great quoted Vera Lynn – and in honour of her – ‘we’ll meet again some sunny day’.”